Navratri is a dynamic festival that stretches over a period of 9 days. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Each of the nine days, different avatars of the Goddess are worshipped. These include Shailaputri Maa, Bharmacharini Devi, Devi Chandraghanta, Goddess Kushmanda, Skandamata Devi, Goddess Katyayani, Goddess Kaalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri Devi. The main festival commences on the Pratipada of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashwin month (September - October). This festival is celebrated all over India but no state beats the enthusiastic intensity of Gujarat, who revel in this festive fervour of Navratri. The festival commences with the Ghatasthapana Puja and ends with Durga Visarjan. The 10th day is celebrated as Dusshera; but this is subjected to the lunar calendar. Essentially, there are different types of Navaratis namely Chaitra Navratri, Gupt Navratri, Sharad Navratri, Poushya Navratri and Magha Navratri. Sharad Navratri that falls in the month of Ashwin is the most popular one and is also known as Maha Navratri. It is a festival of worship, fasting, dancing and celebrations.
Navratri literally means nine nights. During this occasion we seek blessings from the divinity of Durga who is the universal mother. The powerful energy that has the ability to create, maintain and demolish the entire universe. Durga is significant not only as the epitome of power but also for being the ‘divine Mother’; one who encourages growth and life. Additionally, it is also an event where you rejoice the victory of the righteous over the corrupt. Moreover, it is believed that worshipping this powerful deity for nine days will rid us of our vices and shower wealth and knowledge upon us.
Date | Pujas & Vrats |
1st – 2nd October | Ghatasthapana Puja & Shailaputri Puja |
3rd October | Bharmacharini Puja |
4rd October | Chandraghanta Puja |
5rd October | Kushmanda Puja & Upang Lalita Vrat |
6rd October | Skandamata Puja |
7rd October | Saraswati Awahan & Katyayani Puja |
8rd October | Kalaratri Puja |
9rd October | Saraswati Puja & Maha Gauri Puja |
10rd October | Durga Havan & Siddhidatri Puja |
11rd October | Durga Visarjan & Vijayadashami |
Apart from the enthusiastic festivities that are part of this ritual, there are many traditions that people abide by:
Each day of Navratri has a special significance which is represented by means of colours. Clothes must be worn on each day in accordance with these colours.
Date | Colour |
1st October | Grey |
2nd October | Orange |
3rd October | White |
4rd October | Red |
5rd October | Royal Blue |
6rd October | Yellow |
7rd October | Green |
8rd October | Peacock Green |
9rd October | Purple |
Navratri in 2016 | 1st October – 11th October |
Navratri in 2017 | 21st September – 30th September |
Navratri in 2018 | 10th October – 19th October |
Navratri in 2019 | 29th September – 8th October |
Navratri in 2020 | 17th October – 26th October |